STAND. COM. REP. 2414

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.B. No. 3044

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 3044 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide a penalty provision for violation of the law on public access to coastal and inland recreational areas.

The bill makes it a misdemeanor to restrict public access to the sea, shoreline, or any inland recreational areas and adds a fine of $1,000 or more for a second offense, and a fine of $2,000 or more for a third and subsequent offense.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Hawaii Audubon Society, Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, one Maui County Council member, and seven individuals.

The intent of this measure is to protect access to public resources by discouraging residents from attempting to block public access. This would also apply to new developments. Your Committees find that public access should remain open and accessible as part of our island heritage.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3044 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations,

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CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair